1. The FASB’s Conceptual Framework of Accounting

2. Conceptual Framework For Financial Accounting
First Level: Basic Objectives
Second Level: Fundamental Concepts
Third Level: Recognition and Measurement
Need
Development
Overview
Qualitative characteristics
Basic elements
Basic assumptions
Basic principles
Constraints
Summary of the structure

3. The FASB’s Conceptual Framework
To develop a coherent set of standards and rules.
To solve new and emerging practical problems.
Establish amount of information
Format
Assumptions, principles, constraints

4. Development of Conceptual Framework
The FASB has issued seven Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts (SFAC) for business enterprises.
SFAC No.1 - Objectives of Financial Reporting.
SFAC No.2 - Qualitative Characteristics of Accounting Information.
SFAC No.3 - Elements of Financial Statements.
SFAC No.5 - Recognition and Measurement in Financial Statements.
SFAC No.6 - Elements of Financial Statements (replaces SFAC No. 3).
SFAC No.7 - Using Cash Flow Information and Present Value in Accounting Measurements.
SFAC No.8 - The Objective of General Purpose Financial Reporting and Qualitative Characteristics of Useful Financial Information (replaces SFAC No. 1 and No. 2)

5. Conceptual Framework Overview of the Conceptual Framework
First Level = Basic Objectives
Second Level = Qualitative Characteristics and Elements
Third Level = Recognition, Measurement, and Disclosure Concepts.

6. Illustration 2-7
Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting

7. First Level: Basic Objectives
Objective of general-purpose financial reporting is:
To provide financial information about the reporting entity that is useful to present and potential equity investors, lenders, and other creditors in making decisions about providing resources to the entity.

8. “Objectives of Financial Reporting by Business Enterprises”
Target audience . . .
External users of financial information
Have a reasonable understanding of business and economic activities and are willing to study the information

9. Second Level: Fundamental Concepts
Qualitative Characteristics
“The FASB identified the Qualitative Characteristics of accounting information that distinguish better (more useful) information from inferior (less useful) information for decision-making purposes.”

10. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Illustration 2-2
Hierarchy of Accounting Qualities

11. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
To be relevant, accounting information must be capable of making a difference in a decision.

12. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
Financial information has predictive value if it has value as an input to predictive processes used by investors to form their own expectations about the future.

13. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
Relevant information also helps users confirm or correct prior expectations.

14. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Relevance
Information is material if omitting it or misstating it could influence decisions that users make on the basis of the reported financial information.

15. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Faithful Representation
Faithful representation means that the numbers and descriptions match what really existed or happened.

16. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Faithful Representation
Completeness means that all the information that is necessary for faithful representation is provided.

17. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Faithful Representation
Neutrality means that a company cannot select information to favor one set of interested parties over another.

18. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Fundamental Quality—Faithful Representation
An information item that is free from error will be a more accurate (faithful) representation of a financial item.

19. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Enhancing Qualities
Information that is measured and reported in a similar manner for different companies is considered comparable.

20. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Enhancing Qualities
Verifiability occurs when independent measurers, using the same methods, obtain similar results.

21. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Enhancing Qualities
Timeliness means having information available to decision-makers before it loses its capacity to influence decisions.

22. Second Level: Qualitative Characteristics
Enhancing Qualities
Understandability is the quality of information that lets reasonably informed users see its significance.

23. Second Level: Basic Elements
Concepts Statement No. 6 defines ten interrelated elements that relate to measuring the performance and financial status of a business enterprise.
“Moment in Time”
“Period of Time”
Assets
Liabilities
Equity
Investment by owners
Distribution to owners
Comprehensive income
Revenue
Expenses
Gains
Losses

24. Third Level: Basic Assumptions
Economic Entity – company keeps its activity separate from its owners and other businesses.
Going Concern - company to last long enough to fulfill objectives and commitments.
Monetary Unit - money is the common denominator.
Periodicity - company can divide its economic activities into time periods.

25. Third Level: Basic Principles
Measurement Principle – The most commonly used measurements are based on historical cost and fair value.
Issues:
Historical cost provides a reliable benchmark for measuring historical trends.
Fair value information may be more useful.
Recently the FASB has taken the step of giving companies the option to use fair value as the basis for measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities.
Reporting of fair value information is increasing.

26. Third Level: Basic Principles
Revenue Recognition - generally occurs (1) when realized or realizable and (2) when earned.
Exceptions:
Illustration 2-5
Timing of Revenue Recognition

27. Third Level: Basic Principles
Expense Recognition - “Let the expense follow the revenues.”
Illustration Expense Recognition

28. Third Level: Basic Principles
Full Disclosure – providing information that is of sufficient importance to influence the judgment and decisions of an informed user.
Provided through:
Financial Statements
Notes to the Financial Statements
Supplementary information

29. Third Level: Constraints
Cost Constraint – cost of providing information must be weighed against the benefits that can be derived from using it.
Industry Practice - the peculiar nature of some industries and business concerns sometimes requires departure from basic accounting theory.

30. DOUBLE-ENTRY ACCOUNTING MODEL
A = L OE
(Assets) (Liabilities) (Owners’ Equity)

31. BASIC ACCOUNTING EQUATION [Corporation]
Assets = Liabilities + Stockholders’ Equity
Contributed
(Paid-in)
Capital
Retained
Earnings
All transactions (regardless of complexity) can be explained by application of this equation
Transaction analysis can always be accomplished using this algebraic technique (DEBITS AND CREDITS ARE NOT REQUIRED AND ARE NOT THE ESSENCE OF ACCOUNTING!!!)
The true reason for the double-entry (dual aspect) approach is EXPLANATION!!
Par
Value
Excess
Over
Par
Net Income (+)
Net loss (-)
Dividends (-)
Declared
Revenues & Gains (+)
Expenses & Losses (-)

32. End of Discussion of Concepts